The Laidlaw Foundation is delighted to share our Annual Review 2025/2026, a record of another year using the transformative power of education to tackle poverty, promote equity, and develop the next generation of ethical leaders. From primary classrooms in the North East of England to business schools, research labs and start-ups across the world, these are the stories of young people who, given resources and opportunity, are growing into the changemakers of tomorrow.
“The year has flown by in a whirlwind of welcoming new partners, programme launches, official openings, hosting the largest events in our history, and a myriad of community milestones. I hope you enjoy reading the stories of those whom we have had the privilege to support this year. In a world which seems too often to have lost its moral compass, leaning into discord rather than humanity, the reflections and achievements of the Laidlaw community are, I think, a cause for optimism and joy. Not in a fluffy, hallmark cards, sort of way, but providing genuine, hard-edged hope. When young people are provided with resources and opportunity, they do extraordinary things, humbling and inspiring each of us.”
—Susanna Kempe, Chief Executive, Laidlaw Foundation
Across five programmes, this has been a year of new partnerships, new spaces, and deepening impact. Here is a little of what each achieved.
- The Laidlaw Schools Trust completed its device rollout this year, putting a personal device in every pupil’s hands and freeing teachers from hours of weekly planning. Its new Apple Regional Training Centre now takes that expertise to schools across the region. Recognition followed at Westgate Hill Primary Academy, which earned an Exceptional judgement for Inclusion, the highest available under Ofsted’s new framework. The Trust also opened the Durham Skylight Centre, a new approach to SEND provision that supports children with additional needs while keeping them part of their school communities, and will support up to 200 pupils at full capacity.
- The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme welcomed MIT and Harvard this year, bringing the network to 22 partner universities. NYU Abu Dhabi welcomed its inaugural cohort, the first Laidlaw Scholars based in the MENA region. Scholars completed 391 research projects and 332 Leadership in Action projects across 65 countries, tackling challenges across the full breadth of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. For the first time, Commissioning Editors from Taylor & Francis selected 54 Scholar projects for peer review and publication on their F1000Research platform. The Laidlaw Scholars Network, meanwhile, grew past 4,000 members.
- The Women in Business Laidlaw Scholarship supported 53 extraordinary women across four world-leading business schools, from London Business School and Oxford Saïd to IE Business School and HEC Paris. This year, we welcomed IESE Business School as its fifth partner, and the remarkable women who will join the community through it. At Elevate, 90 women from across the Laidlaw programmes came together for a day centred around the theme of women rising by championing one another. Sessions on mentoring, personal branding and leading with character empowered Scholars for the leadership ahead of them, and drew the wider community closer together.
- The Trailblazers Programme at Trinity College Dublin welcomed 11 new students, bringing the community to 45 women across four cohorts. This year carries particular weight, as the inaugural cohort prepares to graduate in Autumn 2026. Through financial support, mentoring and a year themed around Empowered Voices: Leading with Purpose, Trailblazers secured postgraduate offers, competitive internships and graduate roles, and stepped into leadership positions across Trinity societies and student advisory boards.
- Laidlaw Scholars Ventures, our $50 million fund for businesses founded or led by Laidlaw alumni, saw strong progress across its portfolio this year. CardiaTec advanced two AI-identified drug targets into validation studies and secured its first paid pharmaceutical collaboration. Kodifly launched its SmartEye platform, reached its first profitable year, and grew to almost 40 employees.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the Laidlaw Foundation. Enjoy the read!
